System and method for geographically associated or geographically disassociated enticing gift or video drop

ABSTRACT

This application pertains to gift-giving and video-dropping methods and systems. A gift drop or a video drop is facilitated using a mobile smart device and an interactive map. The system includes a gift or video drop database stored in a remote gift drop computer server. The system includes a gift or video drop logic section operable on a smart mobile device or a computer. The gift or video drop logic section includes an interactive gift or video drop map. The gift or video drop logic section presents the interactive gift or video drop map to a user, and facilitates the dropping of a symbolic gift item or a video onto the interactive map. The gift or video drop logic section determines whether the user is within certain predefined geographic boundaries, and either makes visible or gives a symbolic gift item to the user based on their location, or plays the video.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/135,361, filed on Sep. 19, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/560,801, filed on Sep. 20,2017, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application pertains to gift-giving and video-dropping methods andsystems, and more particularly, to a system and method for facilitatinga gift drop or a video drop using a mobile smart device and aninteractive drop map.

BACKGROUND

Gift-giving is a noble and selfless action. Humans have been givinggifts for thousands of years. Traditionally, gifts have been made inperson, with one human physically handing a gift to another. With theadvent of the Internet, gifts can now be made electronically. Forexample, a charitable contribution can be made using a credit card toorganizations such as the American Red Cross®, United Way®, or othercharitable organizations. By way of another example, money can be sentdirectly from one person to another using an online application such asPaypal®. However, anonymous gift-giving is presently difficult via theInternet. And there is currently very little enticement for people togive gifts, whether anonymously or otherwise, over the Internet. It isalso presently difficult to associate videos with geographic locationsin order to enhance an interactive map.

Accordingly, a need remains for improved methods and systems forproviding an enticing and fun way to give gifts over the Internet, andfor dropping videos on an interactive map. Embodiments of the inventiveconcept address these and other limitations in the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example system including asmart mobile device having a gift drop logic section, a desktop computerhaving a gift drop logic section, and a remote gift drop server inaccordance with various embodiments of the present inventive concept.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of an interactive gift drop map inaccordance with various embodiments of the present inventive concept.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a technique for enforcing fairnessof the interactive gift drop map in accordance with various embodimentsof the present inventive concept.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a technique for managinginteractive gift drops in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent inventive concept.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example system including asmart mobile device having a video drop logic section, a desktopcomputer having a video drop logic section, and a remote video dropserver in accordance with various embodiments of the present inventiveconcept.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of an interactive video drop map inaccordance with various embodiments of the present inventive concept.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a technique for enforcing fairnessof the interactive video drop map in accordance with various embodimentsof the present inventive concept.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a technique for managinginteractive video drops in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent inventive concept.

The foregoing and other features of the inventive concept will becomemore readily apparent from the following detailed description, whichproceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the inventiveconcept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In thefollowing detailed description, numerous specific details are set forthto enable a thorough understanding of the inventive concept. It shouldbe understood, however, that persons having ordinary skill in the artmay practice the inventive concept without these specific details. Inother instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits,and networks have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first interactive map could betermed a second interactive map, and, similarly, a second interactivemap could be termed a first interactive map, without departing from thescope of the inventive concept.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “coupled to,” or “connected to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, directly coupled to or directly connected to theother element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly coupled to,” or “directly connected to” another elementor layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

The terminology used in the description of the inventive concept hereinis for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the inventive concept. As used in thedescription of the inventive concept and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 100 including asmart mobile device 110 having a gift drop logic section 130, a desktopcomputer 170 having a gift drop logic section 130, and a remote giftdrop server 140 in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinventive concept.

The system 100 includes a smart mobile device 110, which can be used bya user 115. The user 115 can be a private individual or a representativeof a business. The smart mobile device 110 can be, for example, a smartphone, a smart tablet, a laptop computer, or the like. The smart mobiledevice 110 can include a touch-sensitive display 112. The smart mobiledevice 110 can include smart mobile device logic 120. The smart mobiledevice logic 120 can include a microprocessor 125. Moreover, the smartmobile device logic 120 can include a gift drop logic section 130. Thegift drop logic section 130 can be controlled by or otherwise executedby the microprocessor 125. The gift drop logic section 130 can includean interactive gift drop map 135, as described in further detail below.The gift drop logic section 130 can also include a gift blocker logicsection 138, which is also described in further detail below.

The system 100 can further include a desktop computer 170, which can beused by a user 195. The user 195 can be a private individual or arepresentative of a business. The desktop computer 170 can be, forexample, a personal computer, a workstation computer, a server, or thelike. The desktop computer 170 can include device logic 175. The devicelogic 175 can include a microprocessor 190. Moreover, the device logic175 of the desktop computer 170 can include a gift drop logic section130. The gift drop logic section 130 can be controlled by or otherwiseexecuted by the microprocessor 190. The gift drop logic section 130 caninclude an interactive gift drop map 135, as described in further detailbelow.

The system 100 can further include a remote gift drop server 140. Thesmart mobile device 110 can be communicatively coupled to the remotegift drop server 140 via the cloud 105. The remote gift drop server 140can include, for example, a computer server 145. The remote gift dropserver 140 can include a microprocessor 150 and a gift drop database155, as also described in further detail below.

The system 100 facilitates the digital placement of gifts and things,hereinafter referred to as symbolic gift items 160, having monetaryvalue on the interactive gift drop map 135. For example, the symbolicgift items 160 can include gift cards, coupons, promotional things ofvalue, cash, virtual cash, virtual tokens, crypto tokens, or the like.After being placed on the interactive gift drop map 135, the symbolicgift items 160 can visibly appear at particular geographic locations onthe interactive gift drop map 135. Alternatively, the symbolic giftitems 160 need not visibly appear on the interactive gift drop map 135,but can nevertheless be present but in a hidden state at particulargeographic locations on the interactive gift drop map 135.

The symbolic gift items 160 can be dropped onto the interactive giftdrop map 135. For example, a user may select an icon representing asymbolic gift item 160, and with a finger gesture, swipe along thetouch-sensitive display 112 of the smart mobile device 110 until thefinger is pointing at a place on the interactive gift drop map 135 thatcorresponds to the location to which the symbolic gift item 160 shouldbe geographically positioned on the map. By lifting the finger, thesymbolic gift item 160 can be associated with that position, therebycompleting the gift drop. Using the desktop computer 170, a similar giftdrop procedure can be carried out using a mouse (not shown) instead of afinger.

Any user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) can inspect the interactive gift dropmap 135 and discern the presence of the visible symbolic gift items 160.In some embodiments, a particular symbolic gift item 160 can be madevisible to the user 115 only if the user 115 is within a firstpredefined geographic boundary 165, but otherwise, the particularsymbolic gift item 160 can be hidden from view. In some embodiments, theparticular symbolic gift item 160 can be made visible to the user 115even if the user 115 is outside of the first predefined geographicboundary 165. The user 115 can claim the visible symbolic gift items 160by selecting them on the interactive gift drop map 135 as long as theuser 115 is physically within a second predefined geographic boundary168. The first predefined geographic boundary 165 is larger than thesecond predefined geographic boundary 168. For example, the firstpredefined geographic boundary 165 can have a three (3) mile diameter,while the second predefined geographic boundary 168 can have a fifty(50) foot diameter. Each of the first and second geographic boundaries(165 and 168) can have a shape of a circle, an oval, a square, arectangle, a triangle, any suitable shape, or the like.

The location of the symbolic gift item 160 can be geographicallydisassociated with the location of the person or business responsiblefor dropping the symbolic gift item 160 onto the interactive gift dropmap 135. Accordingly, the gift drops can be anonymous, or otherwisegeographically disassociated with the gift giver. For example, abusiness need not drop gifts at the actual physical location of thebusiness. Rather, a business can drop gifts at ball parks, specialevents, symposiums, competing locations, or the like.

Alternatively, the location of the symbolic gift item 160 can begeographically associated with the location of the person or businessresponsible for dropping the symbolic gift item 160 onto the interactivegift drop map 135. Accordingly, the gift drops need not be anonymous,and can be geographically associated with the gift giver. For example, abusiness can drop gifts at the actual physical location of the business.

The gift drop logic section 130 of either or both of the smart mobiledevice logic 120 and the device logic 175 can transmit a request 142 tothe remote gift drop server 140. The request 142 can include, forexample, a request to drop one or more symbolic gift items 160 on to theinteractive gift drop map. Alternatively, the request 142 can include,for example, a request to create a gift blocker, which is discussed infurther detail below. The remote gift drop server 140 can transmit areply 144 to the request 142. The reply 144 can include, for example, aconfirmation or denial of the requested action.

The visible gift drop items 160 within the first predefined geographicboundary 165 can be filtered. In other words, if the user 115 wants tolimit the quantity or type of gift drop items 160 that are visible onthe interactive gift drop map 135, then the user 115 can specifycriteria for limiting the display of the visible gift drop items 160.For example, a user may specify that only automotive related gift itemsbe made visible, or that only food related gift items be made visible,and so forth. The gift drop logic section 130 can filter the visiblegift drop items 160 responsive to the user's preferences.

By way of another example, a user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) may drop one ormore symbolic gift items 160 near an underpass of a highway where it iscommon for homeless individuals to congregate, thereby directlyuplifting the lives of others that are in potentially destitutesituations. By way of another example, a user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) maydrop one or more symbolic gift items 160 in an area recently devastatedby a natural disaster such as a hurricane or earthquake, therebybringing relief to others in need.

A symbolic gift item 160 can be moved from one particular location onthe interactive gift drop map 135 to another particular location by theuser who originally placed the symbolic gift item 160. In someembodiments, the user who originally placed the symbolic gift item 160can select an option to have the symbolic gift item 160 automaticallymoved from one particular location on the interactive gift drop map 135to another particular location after a certain waiting period. In someembodiments, the user who originally placed the symbolic gift item 160can select an option to have the symbolic gift item 160 graduallyautomatically moved over a predefined period of time from one particularlocation on the interactive gift drop map 135 to another particularlocation.

In some embodiments, a user (e.g., 195) working on behalf of a businesscan create an advertising or promotional campaign. For example, abusiness can setup a promotion such as placing symbolic gift items 160at various geographic locations throughout the globe, a city, or even aneighborhood. An existing or new coffee shop can, for example, target abusiness park and place free large coffee offers throughout the park. Acompany such as a vehicle manufacturer or dealer can advertise apromotion where they drop or place a new vehicle free of charge at acertain venue at a certain time to promote their product. Users of theinteractive gift drop map 135 that are located in the crowd will get anotification if they are the user closest to the virtual drop, and canclaim the prize simply by accepting the prize or offer.

All kinds of offers including gift cards, merchandise, food, clothes,shoes, etc., can be gifted at no charge to the recipient. The gift droplogic section 130 may charge the company creating the campaign a fee pervirtual gift drop, but the end user receives the symbolic gift item 160for free. Upon opening the gift, a video associated with the gift can belaunched and played for the user. The video can include instructions onhow to use or trade the symbolic gift item 160, or include other contentsuch as an encouragement to continue searching for other near-by gifts.

The individual end user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) can trade symbolic giftitems 160 with other individual end users. The individual end users 115can be limited in distance as to how far away they can see the symbolicgift items 160 and where they are placed. For example, the symbolic giftitems 160 can be made visible to the user 115 when the user 115 isphysically located within the predefined geographic boundary 165. Thepredefined geographic boundary 165 can be circular and have a 3 milediameter, for example. It will be understood that other geographicboundaries and shapes can be used, such as squares, triangles, orrectangles.

In some embodiments, individual end users 115 can place symbolic giftitems 160 on the interactive gift drop map 135 anywhere they would like.For example, an individual end user 115 can place one or more symbolicgift items 160 at a homeless shelter in their hometown, or anywhere inthe world. In the event of a natural disaster in a particular place, anindividual end user 115 can place one or more symbolic gift items 160 intowns or neighborhoods affected by the disaster.

In some embodiments, individual end users 115 can send symbolic giftitems 160 directly to another person by sending them a link eitherpublicly or anonymously. Individual end users can track all of theirtransactions via a user interface provided by the gift drop logicsection 130 through a display of the smart mobile device 110. In someembodiments, end users 115 can donate symbolic gift items 160 directlyto non-profit organizations, either publicly or anonymously. The giftdrop logic section 130 can provide a list of non-profit organizations towhich the end user 115 can donate their symbolic gift items 160. Thesystem 100 facilitates the digital placement of symbolic gift items 160having real monetary value to one or more points on the interactive giftdrop map 135 with no height restriction.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can include a gift drop database 155stored in a remote gift drop computer server 140. The gift drop database155 can include an authoritative copy of an interactive gift drop map135. The system 100 can include a gift drop logic section 130 operableon a smart mobile device 110. The gift drop logic section 130 caninclude the interactive gift drop map 135. The gift drop logic sectioncan be configured to present the interactive gift drop map 135 to theuser 115 of the smart mobile device 110. The gift drop logic section canbe configured to detect a gesture from the user 115 on a touch-sensitivedisplay 112 of the smart mobile device 110. The gesture can be, forexample, a touch gesture using a finger, a swipe gesture using a finger,a touch-hold-and-move gesture using a finger, a touch gesture using astylus, a swipe gesture using a stylus, a touch-hold-and-move gestureusing a stylus, or the like.

Responsive to the gesture, the gift drop logic section can be configuredto transmit a request 142 to the remote gift drop computer server 140via the cloud 105 to drop a symbolic gift item 160 onto theauthoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map 135. The gift droplogic section 130 can be configured to receive a reply 144 from theremote gift drop computer server 140 via the cloud 105. Responsive tothe reply 144 being a confirmation indicating that the symbolic giftitem 160 has been placed onto the authoritative copy of the interactivegift drop map 135, the gift drop logic section 130 can be configured todrop the symbolic gift item 160 onto the interactive gift drop map 135presented to the user 115 of the smart mobile device 110. Conversely,responsive to the reply 144 being a denial of the request to drop thesymbolic gift item 160 onto the interactive gift drop map 135, the giftdrop logic section 130 can be configured to not drop the symbolic giftitem 160 onto the interactive gift drop map 135 presented to the user115 of the smart mobile device 110.

In some embodiments, the gift drop logic section 130 is furtherconfigured to receive a request from a user (e.g., 115) to claim thesymbolic gift item 160. The gift drop logic section 130 can determinewhether the user 115 is inside of a second predefined geographicboundary 168. Responsive to determining that the user 115 is inside ofthe second predefined geographic boundary 168, the gift drop logicsection 130 can gift the symbolic gift item 160 to the user 115. In someembodiments, the gift drop logic section 130 can cause a videoassociated with the symbolic gift item 160 to be launched and played forthe user.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of an interactive gift drop map 135 inaccordance with various embodiments of the present inventive concept.

In some embodiments, one or more hidden gifts 205 can be hidden on theinteractive gift drop map 135 and are not initially made publiclyvisible. The hidden gifts 205 are not visible to the user 115. However,if the user 115 gets within a predefined proximity 210 of the hiddengift 205, then the user 115 can automatically be gifted the hidden gift205. This can create a jubilant feeling in the user 115 for having foundthe hidden gift 205. The hidden gift 205 can be cash or a cashequivalent such as a virtual token that can be redeemed for cash.

For example, the virtual token can be a decentralized token such as anEthereum® token, which can be traded on a decentralized exchange. By wayof another example, the virtual token can be a cryptocurrency such asbitcoin. By way of yet another example, the virtual token can be acentralized virtual token. The predefined proximity 210 can be set bythe user or business who dropped the hidden gift 205 onto theinteractive gift drop map 135. The predefined proximity 210 can becircular, square, rectangle, or any suitable shape. The predefinedproximity 210 can be of any suitable geographic size and area.

The gift drop logic section 130 can include a gift blocker logic section138. The gift blocker logic section 138 permits a business to purchase ageographic gift blocker 215, which can block a competitor from droppingsymbolic gift items 160 on their physical location. In other words, ifthe geographic gift blocker 215 is purchased, then the gift blockerlogic section 138 causes all other users (e.g., 115) to be preventedfrom dropping symbolic gift items 160 or hidden gifts 205 within thegeographic gift blocker 215. Accordingly, a business who purchases thegeographic gift blocker 215 can prevent its competitors from interferingwith its business or otherwise stealing its customers. In someembodiments, only persons who own or rent a particular physical locationcan purchase the geographic gift blocker 215 for that location.

For example, the gift drop logic section 130 can receive a request froma user (e.g., 115) to place a geographic gift blocker 215 onto theinteractive gift drop map 135. The gift drop logic section 130 cantransmit a request 142 to the remote gift drop computer server 140 viathe cloud 105 to place the geographic gift blocker 215 onto theauthoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map 135. The gift droplogic section 130 can receive a reply 144 from the remote gift dropcomputer server 140 via the cloud 105.

Responsive to the reply 144 being a confirmation indicating that thegeographic gift blocker 215 has been placed onto the authoritative copyof the interactive gift drop map 135, the gift drop logic section 130can place the geographic gift blocker 215 onto the interactive gift drop135 map presented on the smart mobile device 110. Conversely, responsiveto the reply 144 being a denial of the request 142 to place thegeographic gift blocker 215 onto the interactive gift drop map 135, thegift drop logic section 130 can be configured to not place thegeographic gift blocker 215 onto the interactive gift drop map 135presented on the smart mobile device 110.

In some embodiments, the gift drop logic section 130 is furtherconfigured to transmit a second request 142 to the remote gift dropcomputer server 140 via the cloud 105 to drop a second symbolic giftitem 160 onto the authoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map135. The gift drop logic section 130 can receive a reply 144 from theremote gift drop computer server via the cloud. Responsive to the reply144 being a denial indicating that the symbolic gift item 160 has notbeen placed onto the authoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map135 due to an overlap with the geographic gift blocker 215, the giftdrop logic section 130 can be configured to not drop the symbolic giftitem 160 onto the interactive gift drop map 135 presented on the smartmobile device 110.

In some embodiments, the gift drop logic section 130 is furtherconfigured to make the symbolic gift item 160 hidden to a user (e.g.,115) when the user is outside of the first predefined geographicboundary 165. In some embodiments, the gift drop logic section 130 isfurther configured to make the symbolic gift item 160 visible to theuser 115 when the user 115 is inside of the first predefined geographicboundary 165.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram 300 illustrating a technique for enforcingfairness of the interactive gift drop map 135 in accordance with variousembodiments of the present inventive concept. The technique can begin at305 where the gift drop logic section 130 receives a request from a user(e.g., 115, 195, etc.) to place a geographic gift blocker 215 on theinteractive gift drop map 135. At 310, the gift blocker logic section138 of the gift drop logic section 130 can place the geographic giftblocker 215 on the interactive gift drop map 135 in coordination withthe remote gift drop server 140. For example, the gift blocker logicsection 138 of the gift drop logic section 130 can transmit a request142 to the remote gift drop server 140 to place the geographic giftblocker 215 at a particular geographic location corresponding to aphysical location, building, etc. The remote gift drop server 140 cantransmit a reply 144 that can include a confirmation indicating that thegeographic gift blocker 215 has been placed, or a denial indicating thatthe geographic gift blocker 215 has not been placed.

At 315, the gift drop logic section 130 receives a request from adifferent user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) to place one or more symbolic giftitems 160 or hidden gift 205 on the interactive gift drop map 135. At320, the gift drop logic section 130 makes a determination whether thelocation in which the one or more symbolic gift items 160 or hiddengifts 205 was dropped overlaps with the gift blocker 215. If YES, thenthe request is rejected at 325. Otherwise, if NO, then the gift droplogic section 130 drops the one or more symbolic gift items 160 orhidden gift 205 on the interactive gift drop map 135 at 330.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for facilitatinggeographic enticing gift drops can include receiving, by the gift droplogic section 130, a request to place a geographic gift blocker 215 ontothe interactive gift drop map 135. The method can include transmitting arequest 142 to the remote gift drop computer server 140 to place thegeographic gift blocker 215 onto the authoritative copy of theinteractive gift drop map 135. Responsive to the request 142, the methodcan include receiving a reply 144 from the remote gift drop computerserver 140. Responsive to the reply 144 being a confirmation indicatingthat the geographic gift blocker 215 has been placed onto theauthoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map 135, the method caninclude placing the geographic gift blocker 215 onto the interactivegift drop map 135 presented on the smart mobile device 110.

Subsequently, a user may attempt to place a symbolic gift item 160 inthe same area occupied by the geographic gift blocker 215. For example,the method can include transmitting a request 142 to the remote giftdrop computer server 140 to drop a symbolic gift item 160 onto theauthoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map 135. Responsive tothe request 142, the method can include receiving a reply 144 from theremote gift drop computer server 140. Responsive to the reply 144 beinga denial indicating that the symbolic gift item 160 has not been placedonto the authoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map 135 due toan overlap with the geographic gift blocker 215, the method can includenot dropping the symbolic gift item 160 onto the interactive gift dropmap 135 presented on the smart mobile device 110.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 illustrating a technique for managinginteractive gift drops in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent inventive concept. The technique can begin at 405 where the giftdrop logic section 130 receives a request from a user (e.g., 115, 195,etc.) to place one or more symbolic gift items 160 on the interactivegift drop map 135. At 410, the gift drop logic section 130 drops the oneor more symbolic gift items 160 on the interactive gift drop map 135 incoordination with the remote gift drop server 140. For example, the giftdrop logic section 130 can transmit a request 142 to the remote giftdrop server 140 to place the one or more symbolic gift items 160 at aparticular geographic location. The remote gift drop server 140 cantransmit a reply 144 that can include a confirmation indicating that oneor more symbolic gift items 160 have been placed, or a denial indicatingthat one or more symbolic gift items 160 have not been placed. In someembodiments, the remote gift drop server 140 can record the location ofthe one or more symbolic gift items 160 in the gift drop database 155,and track all of the creations and redemptions of the one or moresymbolic gift items 160. In other words, the gift drop database 155 caninclude an authoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map 135 andmaintain it as various other smart mobile devices (e.g., 110) personalcomputers (e.g., 170) and the like send requests for dropping symbolicgift items 160 onto the interactive gift drop map 135.

At 415, the gift drop logic section 130 makes a determination whether adifferent user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) is within a first predefinedgeographic boundary 165. If NO, then the one or more symbolic gift items160 is not made visible to the different user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) onthe interactive gift drop map 135 as shown at 420. Otherwise, if YES,then the one or more symbolic gift items 160 can be made visible to thedifferent user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) on the interactive gift drop map135 as shown at 422. Then, at 425, another determination can be made at425 whether the different user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) is within a secondpredefined geographic boundary 168. If NO, then the one or more symbolicgift items 160 need not be gifted to the different user (e.g., 115, 195,etc.) as shown at 430. Otherwise, if YES, then the one or more symbolicgift items 160 can be gifted, by the gift drop logic section 130 incoordination with the remote gift drop server 140, to the different user(e.g., 115, 195, etc.) at 435. For example, the gift drop logic section130 of either or both of the smart mobile device logic 120 and thedevice logic 175 can transmit a request 142 to the remote gift dropserver 140. The request 142 can include, for example, a request to giftthe one or more symbolic gift items 160 to the different user (e.g.,115, 195, etc.). The remote gift drop server 140 can transmit a reply144 to the request 142. The reply 144 can include, for example, aconfirmation or denial of the requested gifting action. At 440, the giftdrop logic section 130 can notify the different user (e.g., 115, 195,etc.) that the one or more symbolic gift items 160 has been gifted tothem.

Accordingly, users (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) can be enticed to give andreceive gifts because the interactive gift drop map 135 makes it easyand fun. Business users (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) can be enticed to creategift-giving campaigns to promote their products or services.

In some embodiments, the user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) who drops the oneor more symbolic gift items 160 or hidden gifts 205 can indicate thatthe location is fixed on the interactive gift drop map 135. In analternate embodiment, the user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) who drops the oneor more symbolic gift items 160 or hidden gifts 205 can indicate thatthe location moves or changes over time on the interactive gift drop map135. In some embodiments, the term “drop” can refer to the one or moresymbolic gift items 160 or hidden gifts 205 being stuck to or placed onthe interactive gift drop map 135. In some embodiments, merchandise canbe dropped on the interactive gift drop map 135.

In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for facilitatinggeographic enticing gift drops includes presenting an interactive giftdrop map 135 on a smart mobile device 110. The method can includereceiving, by a gift drop logic section 130 of the smart mobile device110, a request to drop a symbolic gift item 160 onto the interactivegift drop map 135. The method can include transmitting a request 142 toa remote gift drop computer server 140 to drop the symbolic gift item160 onto an authoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map 135. Themethod can include receiving a reply 144 from the remote gift dropcomputer server 140. Responsive to the reply 144 being a confirmationindicating that the symbolic gift item 160 has been placed onto theauthoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map 135, the method caninclude dropping the symbolic gift item 160 onto the interactive giftdrop map 135 presented on the smart mobile device 110.

The method can include determining whether the smart mobile device 110is within a first predefined geographic boundary 165. Responsive todetermining that the smart mobile device 110 is not within the firstpredefined geographic boundary 165, the method can include not showingthe symbolic gift item 160 on the interactive gift drop map 135presented on the smart mobile device 110. Responsive to determining thatthe smart mobile device 110 is within the first predefined geographicboundary 165, the method can include showing the symbolic gift item 160on the interactive gift drop map 135 presented on the smart mobiledevice 110.

In some embodiments, the method can include determining whether thesmart mobile device 110 is within a second predefined geographicboundary 168. Responsive to determining that the smart mobile device 110is not within the second predefined geographic boundary 168, rhe methodcan include not giving the symbolic gift item 160 to a user (e.g., 115)associated with the smart mobile device 110. Conversely, responsive todetermining that the smart mobile device 110 is within the secondpredefined geographic boundary 168, the method can include giving thesymbolic gift item 160 to the user 115 associated with the smart mobiledevice 110. The method can include notifying the user 115 that thesymbolic gift item 160 has been gifted to the user 160.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an example system 500 including asmart mobile device 110 having a video drop logic section 530, a desktopcomputer 170 having a video drop logic section 530, and a remote videodrop server 540 in accordance with various embodiments of the presentinventive concept.

The system 500 includes a smart mobile device 110, which can be used bya user 115. The user 115 can be a private individual or a representativeof a business. The smart mobile device 110 can be, for example, a smartphone, a smart tablet, a laptop computer, or the like. The smart mobiledevice 110 can include smart mobile device logic 120. The smart mobiledevice logic 120 can include a microprocessor 125. Moreover, the smartmobile device logic 120 can include a video drop logic section 530. Thevideo drop logic section 530 can be controlled by or otherwise executedby the microprocessor 125. The video drop logic section 530 can includean interactive video drop map 535, as described in further detail below.In some embodiments, the interactive gift drop map 135 described aboveand the interactive video drop map 535 described herein are one in thesame map, with both gift-drop and video-drop capabilities. The videodrop logic section 530 can also include a video blocker logic section538, which is also described in further detail below.

The system 500 can further include a desktop computer 170, which can beused by a user 195. The user 195 can be a private individual or arepresentative of a business. The desktop computer 170 can be, forexample, a personal computer, a workstation computer, a server, or thelike. The desktop computer 170 can include device logic 175. The devicelogic 175 can include a microprocessor 190. Moreover, the device logic175 of the desktop computer 170 can include a video drop logic section530. The video drop logic section 530 can be controlled by or otherwiseexecuted by the microprocessor 190. The video drop logic section 530 caninclude an interactive video drop map 535, as described in furtherdetail below.

The system 500 can further include a remote video drop server 540. Insome embodiments, the remote gift drop server 140 described above andthe remote video drop server 540 described herein are one in the samevideo computer server, with capabilities of supporting both gift-dropand video-drop functions. The smart mobile device 110 can becommunicatively coupled to the remote video drop server 540 via thecloud 105. The remote video drop server 540 can include, for example, acomputer server 145. The remote video drop server 540 can include amicroprocessor 150 and a video drop database 555, as also described infurther detail below.

The system 500 facilitates the digital placement of videos, hereinafterreferred to as one or more videos 560. For example, the one or morevideos 560 can include promotional videos, customer feedback videos,informational videos, entertainment videos, movie videos, or the like.After being placed on the interactive video drop map 535, a location ofthe video 560 can visibly appear at particular geographic locations onthe interactive video drop map 535. For example, a small video icon canappear on the interactive video drop map 535 indicating that a video isavailable to be played that is associated with the video icon.Alternatively, the location of the video 560 or video icon need notvisibly appear on the interactive video drop map 535, but cannevertheless be present but in a hidden state at particular geographiclocations on the interactive video drop map 535.

The video 560 can be dropped onto the interactive video drop map 535.For example, a user may select an icon representing a video 560, andwith a finger gesture, swipe along the touch-sensitive display 112 ofthe smart mobile device 110 until the finger is pointing at a place onthe interactive video drop map 535 that corresponds to the location towhich the video 560 should be geographically positioned on the map. Bylifting the finger, the video 560 can be associated with that position,thereby completing the video drop. Using the desktop computer 170, asimilar video drop procedure can be carried out using a mouse (notshown) instead of a finger.

In some embodiments, any user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) can inspect theinteractive video drop map 535 and discern the presence of the visiblevideo 560 due to visible video icons indicating location of videos. Insome embodiments, a location of a particular video 560 can be madevisible to the user 115 only if the user 115 is within a firstpredefined geographic boundary 565, but otherwise, the location of theparticular video 560 can be hidden from view. In some embodiments, thelocation of the particular video 560 can be made visible to the user 115even if the user 115 is outside of the first predefined geographicboundary 565. The user 115 can view the video 560 by selecting thecorresponding video icon on the interactive video drop map 535 as longas the user 115 is physically within a second predefined geographicboundary 568. The first predefined geographic boundary 565 is largerthan the second predefined geographic boundary 568. For example, thefirst predefined geographic boundary 565 can have a three (3) milediameter, while the second predefined geographic boundary 568 can have afifty (50) foot diameter. Each of the first and second geographicboundaries (565 and 568) can have a shape of a circle, an oval, asquare, a rectangle, a triangle, any suitable shape, or the like.

The location of the video 560 can be geographically disassociated withthe location of the person or business responsible for dropping thevideo 560 onto the interactive video drop map 535. Accordingly, thevideo drops can be anonymous, or otherwise geographically disassociatedwith the video giver. For example, a business need not drop videos atthe actual physical location of the business. Rather, a business candrop videos at ball parks, special events, symposiums, competinglocations, or the like.

Alternatively, the location of the video 560 can be geographicallyassociated with the location of the person or business responsible fordropping the video 560 onto the interactive video drop map 535.Accordingly, the video drops need not be anonymous, and can begeographically associated with the business owner. For example, abusiness can drop videos at the actual physical location of thebusiness.

The video drop logic section 530 of either or both of the smart mobiledevice logic 120 and the device logic 175 can transmit a request 142 tothe remote video drop server 540. The request 142 can include, forexample, a request to drop one or more video 560 on to the interactivevideo drop map. Alternatively, the request 142 can include, for example,a request to create a video blocker, which is discussed in furtherdetail below. The remote video drop server 540 can transmit a reply 144to the request 142. The reply 144 can include, for example, aconfirmation or denial of the requested action.

The visible video drop 560 within the first predefined geographicboundary 565 can be filtered. In other words, if the user 115 wants tolimit the quantity or type of videos 560 that are visible on theinteractive video drop map 535, then the user 115 can specify criteriafor limiting the display of the visible videos 560. For example, a usermay specify that only automotive related videos be made visible, or thatonly food related videos be made visible, and so forth. The video droplogic section 530 can filter the visible video drop 560 responsive tothe user's preferences.

By way of another example, a user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) may drop one ormore videos 560 near an underpass of a highway where it is common forhomeless individuals to congregate, thereby directly uplifting the livesof others that are in potentially destitute situations, and need anencouraging or informative video to assist them or cheer them up. By wayof another example, a user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) may drop one or moreinformational videos 560 in an area recently devastated by a naturaldisaster such as a hurricane or earthquake, thereby bringing helpfulinformation such as relief locations such as tent shelter or waterdistribution points to those in need.

The video 560 can be moved from one particular location on theinteractive video drop map 535 to another particular location by theuser who originally placed the video 560.

In some embodiments, the user who originally placed the video 560 canselect an option to have the video 560 automatically moved from oneparticular location on the interactive video drop map 535 to anotherparticular location after a certain waiting period. In some embodiments,the user who originally placed the video 560 can select an option tohave the video 560 gradually and automatically moved over a predefinedperiod of time from one particular location on the interactive videodrop map 535 to another particular location.

In some embodiments, a user (e.g., 195) working on behalf of a businesscan create an advertising or promotional campaign. For example, abusiness can setup a promotion such as placing one or more videos 560 atvarious geographic locations throughout the globe, a city, or even aneighborhood. An existing or new coffee shop can, for example, target abusiness park and place promotional videos throughout the park. Acompany such as a vehicle manufacturer or dealer can advertise apromotion where they drop or place a new video at a certain venue at acertain time to promote their product. Users of the interactive videodrop map 535 that are located in the crowd will get a notification orinvitation if they are the user closest to the virtual drop, and canview the video simply by accepting the invitation.

All kinds of offers including video cards, merchandise, food, clothes,shoes, etc., can be promoted in videos at no charge to the recipient.The video drop logic section 530 may charge the company creating thevideo campaign a fee per virtual video drop, but the end user may viewthe videos 560 for free.

The individual end users 115 can be limited in distance as to how faraway they can see the video 560 and where they are placed. For example,a location of the video 560 can be made visible to the user 115 when theuser 115 is physically located within the predefined geographic boundary565. The predefined geographic boundary 565 can be circular and have a 3mile diameter, for example. It will be understood that other geographicboundaries and shapes can be used, such as squares, triangles, orrectangles.

In some embodiments, individual end users 115 can place videos 560 onthe interactive video drop map 535 anywhere they would like. Forexample, an individual end user 115 can place one or more uplifting orentertaining videos 560 at a homeless shelter in their hometown, oranywhere in the world. In the event of a natural disaster in aparticular place, an individual end user 115 can place one or moreinformational videos 560 in towns or neighborhoods affected by thedisaster.

In some embodiments, individual end users 115 can send a video 560directly to another person by sending them a link either publicly oranonymously. The system 500 facilitates the digital placement of videos560 to one or more points on the interactive video drop map 535 with noheight restriction.

In some embodiments, the system 500 for facilitating geographic videodrops includes a video drop database 555 stored in a remote video dropcomputer server 540. The video drop database 555 can include anauthoritative copy of an interactive video drop map 535. The system 500can include a video drop logic section 530. The video drop logic section530 can include the interactive video drop map 135. The video drop logicsection 530 can be configured to present the interactive video drop map135 to a user (e.g., 115) of the smart mobile device 110. The video droplogic section 530 can be configured to detect a gesture from the user ona touch-sensitive display 112 of the smart mobile device 110. Thegesture can be, for example, a touch gesture using a finger, a swipegesture using a finger, a touch-hold-and-move gesture using a finger, atouch gesture using a stylus, a swipe gesture using a stylus, atouch-hold-and-move gesture using a stylus, or the like. Responsive tothe gesture, the video drop logic section 530 can be configured totransmit a request 142 to the remote video drop computer server 540 viathe cloud 105 to drop a video 560 onto the authoritative copy of theinteractive video drop map 535. The video drop logic section 530 can beconfigured to receive a reply 144 from the remote video drop computerserver 540 via the cloud 505. Responsive to the reply 144 being aconfirmation indicating that the video 560 has been placed onto theauthoritative copy of the interactive video drop map 535, the video droplogic section 530 can be configured to drop the video 560 onto theinteractive video drop map 535 presented to the user 115 of the smartmobile device 110. Responsive to the reply 144 being a denial of therequest to drop the video onto the interactive video drop map 535, thevideo drop logic section 530 can be configured to not drop the video 560onto the interactive video drop map 535 presented to the user 115 of thesmart mobile device 110.

In some embodiments, the video drop logic section 530 is furtherconfigured to receive a request from a user (e.g., 115) to view thevideo 560. The video drop logic section 530 can determine whether theuser 115 is inside of a predefined geographic boundary 568.

Responsive to determining that the user 115 is inside of the predefinedgeographic boundary 568, the video drop logic section 530 can cause thevideo 560 to be played for the user 115.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of an interactive video drop map 535 inaccordance with various embodiments of the present inventive concept. Insome embodiments, one or more hidden videos 605 can be hidden on theinteractive video drop map 535 and are not initially made publiclyvisible. The hidden videos 605 are not initially visible to the user115. However, if the user 115 gets within a predefined proximity 610 ofthe hidden video 605, then the user 115 can automatically be shown thevideo 605, which would no longer be made hidden.

The predefined proximity 610 can be set by the user or business whodropped the hidden video 605 onto the interactive video drop map 535.The predefined proximity 610 can be circular, square, rectangle, or anysuitable shape. The predefined proximity 610 can be of any suitablegeographic size and area. The video drop logic section 530 can beconfigured to make the video 605 hidden to a user 115 when the user isoutside of the predefined geographic boundary 610. The video drop logicsection 530 can be configured to make the video 605 visible to the user115 when the user 115 is inside of the predefined geographic boundary610.

The video drop logic section 530 can include a video blocker logicsection 538. The video blocker logic section 538 permits a business topurchase a geographic video blocker 615, which can block a competitorfrom dropping video 560 on their physical location. In other words, ifthe geographic video blocker 615 is purchased, then the video blockerlogic section 138 causes all other users (e.g., 115) to be preventedfrom dropping videos 560 or hidden videos 605 within the geographicvideo blocker 615. Accordingly, a business who purchases the geographicvideo blocker 615 can prevent its competitors from interfering with itsbusiness or otherwise stealing its customers, while the business itselfcan display its own videos associated with their own location. In someembodiments, only persons who own or rent a particular physical locationcan purchase the geographic video blocker 615 for that location.

In some embodiments, the video drop logic section 530 can be configuredto receive a request from a user (e.g., 515) to place a geographic videoblocker 615 onto the interactive video drop map 535. The video droplogic section 530 can transmit a request 142 to the remote video dropcomputer server 540 via the cloud 105 to place the geographic videoblocker 615 onto the authoritative copy of the interactive video dropmap 535. The video drop logic section 530 can receive a reply 144 fromthe remote video drop computer server 540 via the cloud 105. Responsiveto the reply 144 being a confirmation indicating that the geographicvideo blocker 615 has been placed onto the authoritative copy of theinteractive video drop map 535, the video drop logic section 530 canplace the geographic video blocker 615 onto the interactive video dropmap 535 presented on the smart mobile device 110. The video drop logicsection 530 can be configured to transmit a request to the remote videodrop computer server 540 via the cloud 105 to drop a video 560 onto theauthoritative copy of the interactive video drop map 535. The video droplogic section 530 can receive a reply 144 from the remote video dropcomputer server 540 via the cloud 105. Responsive to the reply 144 beinga denial indicating that the video 560 has not been placed onto theauthoritative copy of the interactive video drop map 535 due to anoverlap with the geographic video blocker 615, the video drop logicsection 530 can be configured to not drop the video 560 onto theinteractive video drop map 535 presented on the smart mobile device 110.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram 700 illustrating a technique for enforcingfairness of the interactive video drop map 535 in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present inventive concept. The technique canbegin at 705 where the video drop logic section 530 receives a requestfrom a user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) to place a geographic video blocker615 on the interactive video drop map 535. At 710, the video blockerlogic section 538 of the video drop logic section 530 can place thegeographic video blocker 615 on the interactive video drop map 535 incoordination with the remote video drop server 540. For example, thevideo blocker logic section 538 of the video drop logic section 530 cantransmit a request 142 to the remote video drop server 540 to place thegeographic video blocker 615 at a particular geographic locationcorresponding to a physical location, building, etc. The remote videodrop server 540 can transmit a reply 144 that can include a confirmationindicating that the geographic video blocker 615 has been placed, or adenial indicating that the geographic video blocker 615 has not beenplaced.

At 715, the video drop logic section 530 receives a request from adifferent user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) to place a video 560 or hiddenvideo 605 on the interactive video drop map 535. At 720, the video droplogic section 530 makes a determination whether the location in whichthe video 560 or hidden video 605 was dropped overlaps with the videoblocker 615. If YES, then the request is rejected at 725. Otherwise, ifNO, then the video drop logic section 530 drops the video 560 or hiddenvideo 605 on the interactive video drop map 535 at 730.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram 800 illustrating a technique for managinginteractive video drops in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent inventive concept. The technique can begin at 805 where thevideo drop logic section 530 receives a request from a user (e.g., 115,195, etc.) to place one or more videos 560 on the interactive video dropmap 535. At 810, the video drop logic section 530 drops the one or morevideos 560 on the interactive video drop map 535 in coordination withthe remote video drop server 540. For example, the video drop logicsection 530 can transmit a request 142 to the remote video drop server540 to place the one or more videos 560 at a particular geographiclocation. The remote video drop server 540 can transmit a reply 144 thatcan include a confirmation indicating that one or more videos 560 havebeen placed, or a denial indicating that one or more videos 560 have notbeen placed. In some embodiments, the remote video drop server 540 canrecord the location of the video 560 in the video drop database 555, andtrack all of the video drops and video views of the one or more videos560. In other words, the video drop database 555 can include anauthoritative copy of the interactive video drop map 535 and maintain itas various other smart mobile devices (e.g., 110) personal computers(e.g., 170) and the like send requests for dropping videos 560 onto theinteractive video drop map 535.

At 815, the video drop logic section 530 makes a determination whether adifferent user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) is within a first predefinedgeographic boundary 565. If NO, then a location of the video 560 is notmade visible to the different user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) on theinteractive video drop map 535 as shown at 820. Otherwise, if YES, thena location of the video 560 can be made visible to the different user(e.g., 115, 195, etc.) on the interactive video drop map 535 as shown at822. Then, at 825, another determination can be made at 825 whether thedifferent user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) is within a second predefinedgeographic boundary 568. If NO, then the video 560 need not be shown tothe different user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) as shown at 830. Otherwise, ifYES, then the video 560 can be shown, by the video drop logic section530 in coordination with the remote video drop server 540, to thedifferent user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) at 835. For example, the videodrop logic section 530 of either or both of the smart mobile devicelogic 120 and the device logic 175 can transmit a request 142 to theremote video drop server 540. The request 142 can include, for example,a request to view a particular video by the different user (e.g., 115,195, etc.). The remote video drop server 540 can transmit a reply 144 tothe request 142. The reply 144 can include, for example, a confirmationor denial of the requested action, the particular video itself, and/or astream of the particular video.

Accordingly, users (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) can be enticed to view videosbecause the interactive video drop map 535 makes it intriguing sincevideos can be geographically associated or geographically disassociatedwith particular physical locations. Business users (e.g., 115, 195,etc.) can be enticed to create video campaigns to promote their productsor services.

In some embodiments, the user (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) who drops thevideos 560 or hidden video 605 can indicate that the location is fixedon the interactive video drop map 535. In an alternate embodiment, theuser (e.g., 115, 195, etc.) who drops the videos 560 or hidden video 605can indicate that the location moves or changes over time on theinteractive video drop map 535. In some embodiments, the term “drop” canrefer to the videos 560 or hidden video 605 being stuck to or placed onthe interactive video drop map 535. In some embodiments, merchandise canbe dropped on the interactive video drop map 535.

Embodiments are described herein, and illustrated in the drawings, interms of functional blocks, units and/or modules. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that these blocks, units and/or modules can bephysically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits such as logiccircuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits,memory elements, wiring connections, and the like, which may be formedusing semiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturingtechnologies. In the case of the blocks, units and/or modules beingimplemented by microprocessors or similar, they may be programmed usingsoftware (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed hereinand may optionally be driven by firmware and/or software. Alternatively,each block, unit and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware,or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions anda processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associatedcircuitry) to perform other functions. Also, each block, unit and/ormodule of the embodiments may be physically separated into two or moreinteracting and discrete blocks, units and/or modules without departingfrom the scope of the inventive concepts. Further, the blocks, unitsand/or modules of the embodiments may be physically combined into morecomplex blocks, units and/or modules without departing from the scope ofthe inventive concepts.

The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, generaldescription of a suitable machine or machines in which certain aspectsof the inventive concept can be implemented. Typically, the machine ormachines include a system bus to which is attached processors, memory,e.g., random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or other statepreserving medium, storage devices, a video interface, and input/outputinterface ports. The machine or machines can be controlled, at least inpart, by input from conventional input devices, such as keyboards, mice,etc., as well as by directives received from another machine,interaction with a virtual reality (VR) environment, biometric feedback,or other input signal. As used herein, the term “machine” is intended tobroadly encompass a single machine, a virtual machine, or a system ofcommunicatively coupled machines, virtual machines, or devices operatingtogether. Exemplary machines include computing devices such as personalcomputers, workstations, servers, portable computers, handheld devices,telephones, tablets, etc., as well as transportation devices, such asprivate or public transportation, e.g., automobiles, trains, cabs, etc.

The machine or machines can include embedded controllers, such asprogrammable or non-programmable logic devices or arrays, ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), embedded computers, smart cards,and the like. The machine or machines can utilize one or moreconnections to one or more remote machines, such as through a networkinterface, modem, or other communicative coupling. Machines can beinterconnected by way of a physical and/or logical network, such as anintranet, the Internet, local area networks, wide area networks, etc.One skilled in the art will appreciate that network communication canutilize various wired and/or wireless short range or long range carriersand protocols, including radio frequency (RF), satellite, microwave,Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 545.11,Bluetooth®, optical, infrared, cable, laser, etc.

Embodiments of the inventive concept can be described by reference to orin conjunction with associated data including functions, procedures,data structures, application programs, etc. which when accessed by amachine results in the machine performing tasks or defining abstractdata types or low-level hardware contexts. Associated data can be storedin, for example, the volatile and/or non-volatile memory, e.g., RAM,ROM, etc., or in other storage devices and their associated storagemedia, including hard-drives, floppy-disks, optical storage, tapes,flash memory, memory sticks, digital video disks, biological storage,etc. Associated data can be delivered over transmission environments,including the physical and/or logical network, in the form of packets,serial data, parallel data, propagated signals, etc., and can be used ina compressed or encrypted format. Associated data can be used in adistributed environment, and stored locally and/or remotely for machineaccess.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the inventive conceptwith reference to illustrated embodiments, it will be recognized thatthe illustrated embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detailwithout departing from such principles, and can be combined in anydesired manner And although the foregoing discussion has focused onparticular embodiments, other configurations are contemplated. Inparticular, even though expressions such as “according to an embodimentof the invention” or the like are used herein, these phrases are meantto generally reference embodiment possibilities, and are not intended tolimit the inventive concept to particular embodiment configurations. Asused herein, these terms can reference the same or different embodimentsthat are combinable into other embodiments.

Embodiments of the invention may include a non-transitorymachine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one ormore processors, the instructions comprising instructions to perform theelements of the embodiments as described herein.

Consequently, in view of the wide variety of permutations to theembodiments described herein, this detailed description and accompanyingmaterial is intended to be illustrative only, and should not be taken aslimiting the scope of the inventive concept. What is claimed as theinvention, therefore, is all such modifications as may come within thescope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

1. A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors, the instructions comprising instructions to: present, by a gift drop logic section, an interactive gift drop map on a smart mobile device; receive a request to place a geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map; transmit the request to a remote gift drop computer server to place the geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map; receive a reply from the remote gift drop computer server; and responsive to the reply, place the geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 2. The non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors of claim 1, the instructions further comprising instructions to: detect a gesture on a touch-sensitive display of the smart mobile device; responsive to the gesture, transmit a request to the remote gift drop computer server to drop a symbolic gift item onto the interactive gift drop map; receive a reply from the remote gift drop computer server; and responsive to the reply, drop the symbolic gift item onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 3. The non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors of claim 2, the instructions further comprising instructions to: responsive to the reply being a confirmation indicating that the symbolic gift item has been placed onto an authoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map, drop the symbolic gift item onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 4. The non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors of claim 2, the instructions further comprising instructions to: responsive to the reply being a denial of the request to drop the symbolic gift item onto the interactive gift drop map, not drop the symbolic gift item onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 5. The non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors of claim 2, the instructions further comprising instructions to: make the symbolic gift item hidden when the smart mobile device is outside of a first predefined geographic boundary; and make the symbolic gift item visible on the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device when the smart mobile device is inside of the first predefined geographic boundary.
 6. The non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors of claim 5, the instructions further comprising instructions to: receive a request to claim the symbolic gift item; determine whether the smart mobile device is inside of a second predefined geographic boundary; and responsive to determining that the smart mobile device is inside of the second predefined geographic boundary, gift the symbolic gift item to a user associated with the smart mobile device.
 7. The non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors of claim 2, the instructions further comprising instructions to: cause a video associated with the symbolic gift item to be launched and played on the smart mobile device.
 8. The non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors of claim 1, the instructions further comprising instructions to: responsive to the reply from the remote gift drop computer server being a confirmation indicating that the geographic gift blocker is permitted to be placed onto the interactive gift drop map, place the geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 9. The non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors of claim 1, the instructions further comprising instructions to: responsive to the reply from the remote gift drop computer server being a confirmation indicating that the geographic gift blocker has been placed onto an authoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map, place the geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions executable by one or more processors of claim 9, the instructions further comprising instructions to: responsive to the reply being a denial of the request to place the geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map, not place the geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 11. A computer-implemented method for facilitating geographic enticing gift drops, the method comprising: presenting, by a gift drop logic section, an interactive gift drop map on a smart mobile device; receiving, by the gift drop logic section, a request to place a geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map; transmitting a request to a remote gift drop computer server to place the geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map; responsive to the request, receiving a reply from the remote gift drop computer server; and responsive to the reply, placing the geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: receiving, by the gift drop logic section, a request to drop a symbolic gift item onto the interactive gift drop map; transmitting a request to the remote gift drop computer server to drop the symbolic gift item onto the interactive gift drop map; receiving a reply from the remote gift drop computer server; and responsive to the reply, dropping the symbolic gift item onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining whether the smart mobile device is within a first predefined geographic boundary; responsive to determining that the smart mobile device is not within the first predefined geographic boundary, not showing the symbolic gift item on the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device; and responsive to determining that the smart mobile device is within the first predefined geographic boundary, showing the symbolic gift item on the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining whether the smart mobile device is within a second predefined geographic boundary; responsive to determining that the smart mobile device is not within the second predefined geographic boundary, not giving the symbolic gift item to a user associated with the smart mobile device; and responsive to determining that the smart mobile device is within the second predefined geographic boundary, giving the symbolic gift item to the user associated with the smart mobile device.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising notifying the user that the symbolic gift item has been gifted to the user.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein placing further comprises, responsive to the reply being a confirmation indicating that the geographic gift blocker has been placed onto an authoritative copy of the interactive gift drop map, placing the geographic gift blocker onto the interactive gift drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 17. A system for facilitating geographic video drops, the system comprising: a video drop database stored in a remote video drop computer server, wherein the video drop database includes an authoritative copy of an interactive video drop map; a video drop logic section operable on a smart mobile device, wherein the video drop logic section includes the interactive video drop map, and wherein the video drop logic section is configured to: receive a request to place a geographic video blocker onto the interactive video drop map; transmit a request to the remote video drop computer server to place the geographic video blocker onto the authoritative copy of the interactive video drop map; receive a reply from the remote video drop computer server; and responsive to the reply, place the geographic video blocker onto the interactive video drop map presented on the smart mobile device.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the video drop logic section is configured to: present the interactive video drop map on the smart mobile device; detect a gesture from a user on a touch-sensitive display of the smart mobile device; responsive to the gesture, transmit a request to the remote video drop computer server to drop a video onto the authoritative copy of the interactive video drop map; receive a reply from the remote video drop computer server; and responsive to the reply, drop the video onto the interactive video drop map presented to the user of the smart mobile device.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein the video drop logic section is configured to: responsive to the reply being a confirmation indicating that the geographic video blocker has been placed onto the authoritative copy of the interactive video drop map, place the geographic video blocker onto the interactive video drop map presented on the smart mobile device. 